Discussions between the Ateneo Bulatao Center and leaders of corporations have shown that leaders seem to forget the factor of the self in the equation of effective leadership. The “self,” as conceptualized in mindfulness, does not refer to personality characteristics but to awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations from moment to moment.
Studies in leadership in a mindfulness framework suggest that directing part of one’s attention inward, and then catching and recognizing one’s inner experience is an important component in effective output, from making decisions, to crafting innovations, to managing people.